China represents four opportunities for us: NASSCOM Chief

"China holds four major opportunities for us, including servicing the north Asian market" he told a press conference during the two-day NASSCOM Product Conclave and Expo 2009 which was unveiled here today.

Other avenues for Indian software firms are to cater to the rapidly growing chinese market, addressing customers in the West, who are starting companies in China and servicing new customers out of China, Mittal said.
To a query on increasing protectionism from the West, especially U.S.A., Mittal said he would be surprised if any direct protectionism comes into play. "In this condition of economic downturn, protectionism is natural. But now they (firms) have realised it is a knee-jerk reaction. What we need to guide ourselves against is indirect protectionism".

"Though we are not seeing high levels of growth, there is reasonable stability now. The four to seven per cent growth forecast by NASSCOM for the IT industry this year would be achieved. We have already started seeing a paradigm change in hiring", he said.

Sharad Sharma, Chairperson, product forum of NASSCOM said the focus of the Indian IT industry was "now shifting to both government and SMBs (small and medium businesses)".
With the impetus given to e-governance projects, "a lot of partnerships will start emerging", he said.